CHAPTER VII 



GIANT ROAD-MAKERS 



. . . Where fly 

 The happy birds, that change their shy 

 To build and brood; that live their lives 

 From land to land. . . . 



— Tennyson. 



BIRDS have for unknown ages been the mak- 

 ers and builders of roads through forests, 

 over mountains, around dangerous hunting 

 grounds, and to places of shelter and water holes. 

 They seem to demand absolute respect and legal 

 recognition for distinct boundaries and roads which 

 are so necessary in their civilisation. They unite 

 for purposes of policing and defending their rights 

 against intruders and enemies ; and when an enemy 

 is encountered on their runs a desperate battle 

 ensues for the right of way, and to the victor re- 

 mains the privilege of travelling unmolested on the 

 highway. 



All birds travel in some way, and those that can- 

 not fly must walk, and walking implies roads. 

 Strangely enough the big birds are invariably road- 



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